History

         Our church heritage spans more than a century.  We have a rich heritage that stands out in the city of Covington.  The public records of Tipton County show this ministry was established in 1910.     The Church of God in Christ, Covington, had its inception in 1910, during a “Brush Harbor” Revival Service with an Elder Turner as leader, and just a few followers.  In 1919, Elder Turner and these followers purchased a small 8’ by 12’ house near the 409 Haynie Street site.  The constituency consisted of a small group of females.    A few years later, a piece of land was purchased, and the small, framed building was moved.  That building was torn down, and a larger building was erected and moved, with mules and logs, to the 409 Haynie Street site.    Elder H C Foster (deceased) was appointed pastor in 1926.  Elder Foster organized the church July 17, 1926, with the following persons serving as deacons: Will Hill, Alvin Maben, Elder Nacy Parker, B. Chatman, and B. Hall.  Mother Loura Burnett was serving as secretary.   Elder Foster envisioned the need for expansion, and, in 1935 the building was enlarged and later bricked.  The membership grew to 122.  Elder Foster remained pastor until October 1956, when he resigned.   Bishop A B McEwen, who was presiding State Bishop, took over the reins as pastor in December 1956.  Under his leadership, restrooms were added to the front of the building, and a two-story addition was added to the rear.  Bishop McEwen was pastor until his death in February 1969.     Elder Charles Rodgers (now Bishop), ‘a man before his time’, was appointed pastor in May 1969 by the late Presiding Bishop, Bishop J O Patterson.  Under Bishop Rodgers’ leadership, the church experienced great changes.  These changes included: a Hammond organ, re-organizational church structure; purchase of church bus and van, as well as telephone services and a physical address and formal church name (Covington Church of God in Christ); Media Ministry (The Hour of Power); the McEwen Memorial Annex, the Moore-Burnett Fellowship Hall, an apartment complex, new classrooms, additional restrooms and offices; choir room and educational personnel rooms; audio/video space and extended choir area; purchase of land on the south side of the Haynie Street site, as well as the land directly across the street of the same site, and the land where the present church is erected.   Bishop Charles Rodgers served for 27.5 years.  He resigned this ministry on December 31, 1996, and continued to serve full-time in the Memphis area.   December 31, 1996 (midnight) marked one of the high points in our church heritage and history…the changing of the guard.  As Bishop Rodgers stepped down as pastor of the Covington Church of God in Christ, Elder Edward L Reed, his assistant, stepped up as pastor of said congregation.  Pastor Reed was appointed pastor by our present Jurisdictional Bishop, Bishop Samuel Leon Lowe, prelate of Fifth Jurisdiction of Tennessee-Church of God in Christ.   Pastor Reed’s re-organization and additions were made to the leadership of the church, as well as a new edifice has been erected…the Great Expectations Ministries Church of God in Christ, 2053 Highway 51 South, Covington, Tennessee…this present site. From December 31, 1996, up to July 2020, Pastor Reed led this congregation with ministerial assistance only.  On July 8, 2012, he appointed an assistant pastor, Minister DeJuan K Hall.  Upon the demise of Pastor Edward Reed in July 2020, the assistant pastor, Elder Dejuan Hall was appointed pastor October 2020. God continues to bless our ministry as we champion under the leadership of Pastor DeJuan L Hall.   We are so grateful for the things the Lord has done, is doing and will do for this ministry.  It is our desire to remain the beacon that will lead souls to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.  We endeavor  to be a place where people from all walks can find answers, healing, restoration, and life-long relationships.  We desire to be a place for  people to gain knowledge of who Jesus is and what He can/will do in their life.